Not Applicable.
The present invention relates to lock rings, and more particularly to a device and a method for installing and uninstalling a lock ring.
Lock rings are used in a wide variety of applications to axially restrain a tire and associated rim components that are mounted to a rim. After the tire has been mounted to the rim, the lock ring is installed by opening (i.e., the ends are spread apart to enlarge the overall diameter of the lock ring) and moving the lock ring over the rim. The rim includes an annular gutter or recess that is sized to receive the lock ring on the rim. The lock ring, once aligned with the annular gutter, is then closed (i.e., the ends are allowed to spring back toward their natural position) so that the lock ring is seated in the annular gutter, is biased toward the rim, and is axially restrained on the rim. To uninstall the lock ring, the lock ring is opened, unseated from the gutter, and removed from the rim.
Lock rings can be sized for use with rims ranging from less than twelve inches to over sixty-four inches in diameter. Lock rings, especially those at the larger end of the spectrum, can require a substantial amount of force to spread apart the ends. Even with smaller lock rings, other factors make it challenging to quickly and easily install and uninstall lock rings. Ergonomics of the installation can present impediments to manipulating the lock ring. For instance, installation and removal is often performed in the field (e.g., at a work site, such as a remote mine) and is subject to the current conditions (e.g., extreme temperatures, rain, etc.). In addition, those manipulating the lock ring are typically wearing thick gloves and often must maneuver the lock ring within a relatively limited envelope (e.g., larger tires may be mounted/dismounted while the rim remains bolted to the vehicle). Economic factors further drive a desire for efficient wheel repair because an idle machine, such as a dump truck having a capacity exceeding three hundred and fifty tons, has a substantial opportunity cost associated with each minute of unproductive downtime.
In light of at least the above, a need exists for a device that allows for efficient manipulation of a lock ring.
In one aspect, a lock ring spreader is capable of being mounted to a lock ring having a first end and a second end. The lock ring spreader comprises a first mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the first end of the lock ring and a second mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the second end of the lock ring. A crank arm is pivotally coupled to the first mount and extends radially outward from the first mount relative to the lock ring. A link arm is pivotally coupled to the second mount and the crank arm, and extends radially outward from the second mount relative to the lock ring. Pivoting the crank arm radially inward relative to the lock ring pivots the link arm relative to the crank arm and expands the distance between the first mount and the second mount.
In another aspect, a lock ring spreader is capable of being mounted to a lock ring defining a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, a first axial face, a second axial face opposite to the first axial face, and an outer radial face between the first axial face and the second axial face. The lock ring spreader comprises a first mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the first end of the lock ring, the first mount is configured to substantially conform to at least one of the first axial face, the second axial face, and the outer radial face. A second mount is mountable to the lock ring near the second end of the lock ring, the second mount is configured to substantially conform to at least one of the first axial face, the second axial face, and the outer radial face. A crank arm has a first end that is pivotally coupled to the first mount near the first end. A link arm has a first end and a second end, the link arm is pivotally coupled to the second mount near the first end and to the crank arm near the second end. Pivoting the crank arm radially inward toward the second mount relative to the lock ring pivots the link arm relative to the crank arm and expands a distance between the first mount and the second mount.
In a further aspect, a lock ring spreader is capable of being mounted to a lock ring having a first end and a second end. The lock ring spreader comprises a first mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the first end of the lock ring and a second mount that is mountable to the lock ring near the second end of the lock ring. A crank arm is pivotally coupled to the first mount about a first axis. A link arm is pivotally coupled to the second mount about a second axis and to the crank arm about a third axis. The second axis is closer to a central axis of the lock ring than the third axis when the lock ring spreader is mounted to the lock ring. Pivoting the crank arm about the first axis (between a first position and a second position) pivots the link arm about the second axis and the third axis.
In yet another aspect, an assembly comprises a rim having an annular gutter formed in a radially outer surface and a tire mounted to the rim. A bead seat band is mounted on the rim adjacent to the tire. A lock ring has a first end and a second end, the lock ring is configured to selectively engage the annular gutter and axially restrain the bead seat band on the rim. A lock ring spreader has a first mount that is coupled to the first end of the lock ring, a second mount that is coupled to the second end of the lock ring, a crank arm that is pivotally coupled to the first mount and extends radially outward from the first mount relative to the lock ring, and a link arm that is pivotally coupled to the second mount and the crank arm and extends radially outward from the second mount relative to the lock ring. Pivoting the crank arm radially inward relative to the lock ring pivots the link arm relative to the crank arm and expands a distance between the first mount and the second mount to disengage the lock ring from the annular gutter.
In a further aspect, a method of using a lock ring spreader to install and uninstall a lock ring from a gutter of a rim includes mounting a first mount of the lock ring spreader to the lock ring near a first end of the lock ring, mounting a second mount of the lock ring spreader to the lock ring near a second end of the lock ring, rotating a crank arm that is pivotally coupled to the first mount at a first axis about the first axis, rotating a link arm that is pivotally coupled to the second mount at a second axis and to the crank arm at a third axis about the second axis and the third axis. Rotating the crank arm about the first axis between a first position and a second position pivots the link arm about the second axis and the third axis, and expands a distance between the first mount and the second mount. The distance between the first mount and the second mount allows the lock ring to be installed and uninstalled from the gutter of the rim without the lock ring undergoing plastic deformation.
These and still other aspects will be apparent from the description that follows. In the detailed description, preferred example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments do not represent the full scope of the concept; rather the concept may be employed in other embodiments. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention.
The example bead seat band lock ring spreaders are described in connection with example lock rings for locking the bead seat bands on a wheel or rim to retain a tire on the rim. However, as one skilled in the art will appreciate when given the benefit of this disclosure, the lock ring spreader concept can be adapted to engage other bead seat band lock ring forms, such as the various lock rings manufactured by GKN Wheels Armstrong of Armstrong, Iowa. Furthermore, the structure, size, and construction of the example lock ring spreaders can be adapted from the examples shown to accommodate specific application requirements (e.g., operating envelope restrictions, force requirements, cost constraints, etc.) without departing from the lock ring spreader concept. Throughout the description, terms such as front, back, side, top, bottom, up, down, upper, lower, inner, outer, above, below, and the like are used to describe the relative arrangement and/or operation of various components of the example embodiment; however, none of these relative terms are to be construed as limiting the construction or alternative arrangements that are within the scope of the claims.
The lock ring spreader 10 is secured or mounted to the lock ring 12 by a first mount 14 and a second mount 16. The example first mount 14 includes a pair of legs 18, 20 that are connected along a top by a bridge 22. An underside of the first mount 14 defines a generally U-shaped recess 24. One of the legs 20 tapers from the bridge 22 so that the recess 24 is configured to conform to the contours of the lock ring 12. The recess 24 may be contoured to engage the specific form of a mating lock ring. Each leg 18, 20 further includes a pair of aligned, transverse holes 26. The holes 26 are positioned beneath the bridge 22 and are configured to receive a mounting pin 28. Specifically, a shaft 30 of the mounting pin 28 is inserted into the holes 26 until a head 32 of the mounting pin 28 is near one of the legs 18. The example mounting pins 28 shown include a spring-loaded ball that protrudes radially outward from the shaft 30 so that the ball can retract into the shaft 30 when sufficient axial force is applied to move the mounting pin 28 into the holes 26. The ball also inhibits the mounting pin 28 from being removed from the holes 26 without sufficient force. While the mounting pins 28 provide for convenient mounting and dismounting, the first mount 14 and the second mount 16, in other forms, can be bolted or otherwise secured to the lock ring 12.
The first mount 14 and the second mount 16 differ in that the first mount 14 includes a pair of parallel projections 34, 36 extending upward from the bridge 22, whereas the second mount 16 includes a single projection 38 that extends upward from the bridge 22 of the second mount 16. All of the projections 34, 36, 38 have generally rectangular bases and extend upward to a rounded tip. Each of the projections 34, 36 on the first mount 14 includes a transverse hole 40 used to mount a crank arm 42 and a handle 44 to the first mount 14. The first mount 14 and the second mount 16 may be of various other constructions. For instance, the mounts 14, 16 can be generally rectangular bars, each having an end mounted (e.g., bolted) to the lock ring 12 and a pivot formed at an opposite end to accommodate the remaining components. Alternatively, the mounts 14, 16 can be L-shaped with one leg fixed to the lock ring 12 and the other leg pivotally coupled to the remaining components.
Shown best in
The example crank arm 42 has a generally rectangular cross section and extends from the first end 46 to a second end 66. Between the first end 46 and the second end 66, the crank arm 42 diverges into two segments 68, 70. Another opening 72 is formed near the second end 66 and is configured to receive a handle pin 74. The handle pin 74 includes a smaller diameter portion 76 that can be threaded into the mating opening 72 or, for instance, can be knurled and press-fit into the opening 72. A larger diameter portion 78 also includes an annular groove 80 into which a clip 82 is seated. The clip 82 protrudes radially outward from the larger diameter portion 78 to restrain a handle grip 84 on the handle pin 74. The handle grip 84 includes a series of serrated internal rings that cam against the clip 82 as the handle grip 84 is installed on the handle pin 74, but catch against the clip 82 when attempting to remove the handle grip 84 from the handle pin 74.
The crank arm 42 includes a cavity 88 (shown in
The crank arm 42 is coupled to the second mount 16 through a pair of link arms 102, 104. The link arms 102, 104 have generally rectangular cross sections with rounded ends. Each of the link arms 102, 104 includes an opening 106 at a first end 108. The single projection 38 extending from the second mount 16 includes a transverse hole 110 that can be aligned with the opening 106 of each link arm 102, 104. Washers 112 are seated between the projection 38 and the link arms 102, 104, and a fastener assembly 114 pivotally couples the link arms 102, 104 to the second mount 16 about a second pivot axis 115. The fastener assembly 114 is shown to include a barrel fastener 116 having internal threads that mate with external threads of a fastener 118. Once the fastener assembly 114 is engaged the link arms 102, 104 are pivotally captured to the second mount 16. Each link arm 102, 104 includes another opening 120 near a second end 122 so that the second end 122 of each link arm 102, 104 can be pivotally mounted to the crank arm 42 about a third pivot axis 117. More specifically, the lower segment 68 of the crank arm 42 has an opening 124 for pivotally mounting the second end 122 of each link arm 102, 104. The link arms 102, 104 are positioned to flank the side faces of the crank arm 42. Another fastener assembly 114 pivotally couples the link arms 102, 104 to the crank arm 42 and captures additional washers 112.
An example dampener 126 is pivotally mounted to both the first mount 14 and the link arm 102. The dampener 126 includes a rod 128 near a first end that defines a ring 130 sized to fit over the shoulder pin 50 and abut an outside face 132 of the projection 34. The shoulder pin 50 also includes an annular recess 134 and a clip 136 that is seated in the recess 134. The clip 136 protrudes radially outward from the shoulder pin 50 to restrain a handle grip 138 on the shoulder pin 50, thus capturing the rod 128 of the dampener 126. The handle grip 138 includes a series of serrated internal rings that cam against the clip 136 as the handle grip 138 is installed, but catch against the clip 136 when attempting to remove the handle grip 138 from the shoulder pin 50.
The dampener 126 is pivotally coupled at a second end to the link arm 102. Specifically, a cylinder portion 140 of the dampener 126 includes a transverse opening 142 that is aligned with a hole 144 formed through the link arm 102 between the first end 108 and the second end 122 of the link arm 102. A fastener assembly 114 pivotally couples the cylinder portion 140 to the link arm 102. The dampener 126 can be a hydraulic dampener, a pneumatic dampener, etc. that provides one- or two-way resistance to relative movement, so that when the lock ring spreader 10 is moved toward the unlocked position, the dampener 126 provides resistance to this movement to inhibit the lock ring 12 from closing faster than desired for a particular application. Furthermore, the dampener 126 can be mounted to other components of the lock ring spreader 10, such as between the crank arm 42 and the second mount 16.
The first mount 14, the second mount 16, the crank arm 42, the link arms 102, 104, the shoulder pin 50, and the handle pin 74 may be made of metal, plastic, composites, or any other material suitable in view of the ultimate application requirements.
With the first mount 14 and the second mount 16 mounted or secured to the respective ends 146, 148 of the lock ring 12, the lock ring spreader 10 can be manipulated to alter a distance D1 between the ends 146, 148 of the lock ring 12 (shown greater than zero in
In use, an operator generally grasps the handle grips 84, 138 and applies a force to rotate the crank arm 42 clockwise (as viewed in
The lock ring 12 typically resists opening or expanding and urges the ends 146, 148 toward each other to a “natural position” (i.e., the position of the lock ring 12 when external forces are not applied). In some instances, the natural position may urge the ends 146, 148 past each other (e.g., where the lock ring 12 has overlapped itself). The dampener 126 is included to resist movement of the ends 146, 148 back to the natural position once the lock ring 12 has begun to open. The dampener 126 inhibits rapid closing of the lock ring 12, allowing for more controlled movement of both the lock ring 12 and the lock ring spreader 10.
Once the lock ring spreader 10 is pivoted to the orientation shown in
The lock ring spreader 10 also includes a “hard lock” when positioned as shown in
The open lock ring 12 and the locked lock ring spreader 10 can be positioned over an annular gutter formed in a rim. An inner radial face 164 of the lock ring 12 (shown in
Other “hard locks” may be incorporated into the lock ring spreader 10. For instance, the link arm 104 and the segment 68 of the crank arm 42 may include respective openings that are axially aligned when the lock ring spreader 10 is oriented as shown in
The construction of a second example lock ring spreader 200 is shown in
The lock ring spreader 200 is secured or mounted to a lock ring (e.g., lock ring 12) by a first mount 202 and a second mount 204, which are similar to the mounts 14, 16 described with reference to the first example lock ring spreader 10. Each mount 202, 204 includes a pair of legs 206, 208 that are connected along a top by a bridge 210 and are configured to conform to the contours of the mating lock ring. The first mount 202 and the second mount 204 are selectively coupled to the lock ring via mounting pins 212.
Again, the first mount 202 and the second mount 204 differ in that the first mount 202 includes a pair of parallel projections 214, 216 extending upward from the bridge 210, whereas the second mount 204 includes a single projection 218 that extends upward from the bridge 210. As best shown in
The crank arm 220 is pivotally coupled to the first mount 202 about a first pivot axis 228 by a shoulder pin 224 and washers 226. The crank arm 220 extends from a first end 230 to a second end 232. Between the first end 230 and the second end 232, the crank arm 220 diverges into two segments 234, 236. A handle grip 238 is secured to a handle pin 240 that is secured to the second end 232 of the crank arm 220.
The crank arm 220 includes parallel mounts 242, 244 extending away from the second end 232. Each mount 242, 244 defines a keyed opening 246 into which a first latch member 248 is slidably mounted. The first latch member 248 includes a grip portion 250 that is oriented transverse to a latch arm 252. The grip portion 250 can be grasped to slide the first latch member 248 within the keyed opening 246. The example latch arm 252 has a generally D-shaped cross section with a flat top surface 254. The D-shaped cross section of the latch arm 252 is matched to the keyed opening 246 (also a D-shape) to inhibit the latch arm 252 from rotating within the keyed opening 246.
With specific reference to
The crank arm 220 is coupled to the second mount 204 through a pair of link arms 270, 272. Each of the link arms 270, 272 extends between a first end 276 and a second end 278. The first end 276 is pivotally coupled to the second mount 204 via a fastener assembly 280 (i.e., a barrel fastener 282 having internal threads that mate with external threads of a fastener 284). The second end 278 of each link arm 270, 272 is pivotally mounted to the crank arm 220 at an intermediate opening 286.
Another example dampener 288 is pivotally mounted to both the second mount 204 and the crank arm 220. The dampener 288 includes a rod 290 having a ring 292 at an end that is pivotally secured to the second mount 204 via the fastener assembly 280. A spacer 295 provides clearance between the link arm 270 and the dampener 288. The dampener 288 is pivotally coupled at a second end to the crank arm 220. Specifically, a cylinder portion 294 of the dampener 288 includes a transverse standoff 296 that is aligned with and extends through a hole 298 formed through the crank arm 220. A fastener 300 engages the standoff 296 to pivotally capture the cylinder portion 294 to the crank arm 220. The dampener 288 is a pneumatic dampener having an annular gap or space between a head of the rod 290 and an interior surface (not shown) of the cylinder portion 294 such that the metering of air through the gap impedes relative movement between the rod 290 and the cylinder portion 294. As a result, the movement of the crank arm 220 relative to the mounts 202, 204 is controlled. In a preferred form, the dampener 288 does not provide substantial resistance (i.e., little more than nominal friction forces) as the rod 290 is being extended from the cylinder portion 294, and provides a metering resistance as the rod 290 is being retracted into the cylinder portion 294 (i.e., as the lock ring is being closed).
The lock ring spreader 200 can be manipulated from an unlocked position in
An example wheel assembly 301 is illustrated in
While the lock ring 310 and the lock ring spreader 200 can be adapted (e.g., contoured, sized, etc.) to meet various application-specific requirements, the location of the openings 316, 318 in the lock ring 310 and the throw (i.e., how much the mounts 202, 204 spread apart during operation of the lock ring spreader 200) are critical to the successful and repeated installation and removal of the lock ring 310 to and from the rim 305. Specifically, the lock ring 310 and the lock ring spreader 200 are preferably configured such that the lock ring spreader 200 provides sufficient throw to easily remove the lock ring 310 from the rim 305 (i.e., unseat the lock ring 310 from the gutter 322) without plastically deforming any portion of the lock ring 310. Plastic deformation of the lock ring 310 is undesirable as it can reduce the effective spring force retaining the lock ring 310 and other components (i.e., the tire 303, the bead seat band 306, and the flange 308) on the rim 305.
With additional reference to
The specifics of the second example lock ring 310 are discussed with reference to
The second example lock ring spreader 200 is configured to provide the requisite amount of throw given the above, application-specific dimensions and considerations of the lock ring 310. Specifically, with reference to
The relative dimensions, cross section, mounting location, or other construction details of the lock ring spreader concept can be adapted depending on the particular application requirements. For instance, longer link arms can be incorporated to increase the distance the mounts are separated when the lock ring spreader is locked. Alternatively, the pivotal mounting locations can be adjusted to alter the geometry of the movement.
While there has been shown and described what is at present considered the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art when given the benefit of this disclosure, that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims.
This application represents the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2013/060337, filed Sep. 18, 2013 which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/703,441 filed Sep. 20, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2013/060337 | 9/18/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2014/047133 | 3/27/2014 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
832170 | Shaw | Oct 1906 | A |
897841 | Mohme et al. | Sep 1908 | A |
1214315 | Kaplan | Jan 1917 | A |
1269585 | Dutcher | Jun 1918 | A |
1373348 | Nation | Mar 1921 | A |
1450965 | Unger | Apr 1923 | A |
1473075 | Bates | Nov 1923 | A |
1531771 | Walter et al. | Mar 1925 | A |
1534066 | Larkey | Apr 1925 | A |
1543862 | McEwen | Jun 1925 | A |
1694893 | Schneider | Dec 1928 | A |
2042312 | Huebner | May 1936 | A |
2153941 | Smith | Apr 1939 | A |
2166089 | Brenner | Jul 1939 | A |
2261637 | Ash | Nov 1941 | A |
2270918 | Ash | Jan 1942 | A |
2376721 | Piper | May 1945 | A |
2521260 | Sinclair | Sep 1950 | A |
2642264 | Perry | Jun 1953 | A |
2643565 | Mount | Jun 1953 | A |
2660476 | Jacobi | Nov 1953 | A |
2680536 | Kojan | Jun 1954 | A |
2808870 | Riggs | Oct 1957 | A |
2835303 | Woodward | May 1958 | A |
2884984 | Riggs | May 1959 | A |
2900006 | LaFaye | Aug 1959 | A |
3003538 | Gerbeth | Oct 1961 | A |
3009501 | Lemmerz | Nov 1961 | A |
3129034 | Walther | Apr 1964 | A |
3224484 | Smith | Dec 1965 | A |
3421797 | Walther | Jan 1969 | A |
3459252 | Verdier | Aug 1969 | A |
3463213 | Wade | Aug 1969 | A |
3468584 | Tantlinger | Sep 1969 | A |
3529869 | Casey | Sep 1970 | A |
3597001 | Morford et al. | Aug 1971 | A |
3599697 | Gerbeth | Aug 1971 | A |
3599698 | Skehan et al. | Aug 1971 | A |
3608607 | Gerbeth | Sep 1971 | A |
RE27220 | Walther | Nov 1971 | E |
3623530 | Beyers et al. | Nov 1971 | A |
3789927 | Gurley et al. | Feb 1974 | A |
3882919 | Sons, Jr. et al. | May 1975 | A |
3976116 | Grawey et al. | Aug 1976 | A |
3979976 | Campagna, Jr. | Sep 1976 | A |
4003421 | Lejeune | Jan 1977 | A |
4021077 | Pringle | May 1977 | A |
4082363 | Goodbary | Apr 1978 | A |
4144922 | Strader | Mar 1979 | A |
4271142 | Puglia et al. | Jun 1981 | A |
4369826 | Hendrickson | Jan 1983 | A |
4373567 | Declercq | Feb 1983 | A |
4407348 | Suckow | Oct 1983 | A |
4494686 | L'Heureux | Jan 1985 | A |
4528734 | Beyer | Jul 1985 | A |
4530387 | Osawa | Jul 1985 | A |
4554961 | Osawa et al. | Nov 1985 | A |
4573509 | Smith et al. | Mar 1986 | A |
4574859 | Smith | Mar 1986 | A |
4579604 | Beyer | Apr 1986 | A |
4580612 | Smithkey | Apr 1986 | A |
4581481 | Moretti | Apr 1986 | A |
4619302 | Mellor | Oct 1986 | A |
4649978 | McCoy | Mar 1987 | A |
4706723 | Loeber et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4721142 | Foster | Jan 1988 | A |
4744132 | Greene et al. | May 1988 | A |
4757590 | Hull et al. | Jul 1988 | A |
RE33046 | Suckow | Sep 1989 | E |
4911216 | Yamoto et al. | Mar 1990 | A |
5001912 | DeWalch | Mar 1991 | A |
5014578 | Flentge | May 1991 | A |
5020839 | Kalb | Jun 1991 | A |
5083597 | France | Jan 1992 | A |
5107914 | Yamoto et al. | Apr 1992 | A |
5165312 | Boudjack | Nov 1992 | A |
5240055 | Smith | Aug 1993 | A |
5295304 | Ashley, Jr. | Mar 1994 | A |
5295604 | Van Ryswyk | Mar 1994 | A |
5325576 | Henderson | Jul 1994 | A |
5335706 | Foster | Aug 1994 | A |
5345676 | Ashley, Jr. | Sep 1994 | A |
5740609 | Jurus | Apr 1998 | A |
5890526 | Taylor | Apr 1999 | A |
5947175 | Watanabe et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
6007120 | Vogt | Dec 1999 | A |
6148941 | Hinton et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6244668 | Hale, Jr. et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6247233 | Hinton et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6293324 | Taylor | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6296320 | Miyashita et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6311749 | Taylor | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6315366 | Post et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6327763 | Stephen | Dec 2001 | B2 |
6536111 | Baumgarten et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6568764 | McNeil et al. | May 2003 | B2 |
6598640 | Reynolds et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6715523 | Oba et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6786259 | Vehar et al. | Sep 2004 | B2 |
7237329 | Burston et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7284584 | Kimura | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7608607 | Gyurik | Oct 2009 | B2 |
7802827 | Easterday | Sep 2010 | B2 |
7971614 | Durif | Jul 2011 | B2 |
20020149256 | McNeil et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20030140998 | Oba et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030221759 | Weston | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20090278399 | Srivats et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100164275 | Oba et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
741644 | Dec 2001 | AU |
933213 | Sep 1973 | CA |
1138916 | Jan 1983 | CA |
1270282 | Jun 1990 | CA |
1219480 | Jun 1999 | CN |
2726923 | Sep 2005 | CN |
201 02 624 | Apr 2001 | DE |
0114782 | Aug 1984 | EP |
1174285 | Jan 2002 | EP |
1186442 | Mar 2002 | EP |
2437256 | Apr 1980 | FR |
2154957 | Sep 1985 | GB |
2246746 | Feb 1992 | GB |
S57158101 | Sep 1982 | JP |
S57158102 | Sep 1982 | JP |
S58081804 | May 1983 | JP |
S58101802 | Jun 1983 | JP |
S58122203 | Jul 1983 | JP |
S58139801 | Aug 1983 | JP |
S59230801 | Dec 1984 | JP |
S60121101 | Jun 1985 | JP |
S62247902 | Oct 1987 | JP |
H02169302 | Jun 1990 | JP |
H03281403 | Dec 1991 | JP |
H07132701 | May 1995 | JP |
H07132702 | May 1995 | JP |
H07257102 | Oct 1995 | JP |
H09328001 | Dec 1997 | JP |
H10024701 | Jan 1998 | JP |
2000185504 | Jul 2000 | JP |
2000247102 | Sep 2000 | JP |
2001158202 | Jun 2001 | JP |
2001219707 | Aug 2001 | JP |
2001225604 | Aug 2001 | JP |
2003220801 | Aug 2003 | JP |
2005343344 | Dec 2005 | JP |
2006007959 | Jan 2006 | JP |
2008222207 | Sep 2008 | JP |
8300661 | Mar 1983 | WO |
8401747 | May 1984 | WO |
9200216 | Jan 1992 | WO |
0012328 | Mar 2000 | WO |
2004009377 | Jan 2004 | WO |
2008099775 | Aug 2008 | WO |
2009049762 | Apr 2009 | WO |
Entry |
---|
European Patent Office, Extended European Search Report, Application No. 13838522.4, dated Sep. 22, 2016. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Feb. 18, 2014 for International Application No. PCT/US2013/060337. |
Titan Wheel Corporation of Illinois, Brochure: Titan Wheels Titan Moves the World of Mining STMT 63 ACT 63, Copyright 2009, 6 pages. |
Lowe, Wheels Within Wheels, IVT International, Mar. 2009, pp. 72-73. |
Northern Wheel Inc., Brochure: LeTourneau Wheels, date unknown, 1 page. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20150231924 A1 | Aug 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61703441 | Sep 2012 | US |